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Fantastic Four (2012)
Fantastic Four, Volume 3: Doomed
Did Ben Grimm's prank cause the accident that scarred Victor Von Doom? The Fantastic Four must deal with the Council of Dooms, who treat that event as their nativity - and who have traveled there to witness it! To make matters worse, Mr. Fantastic's sickness spreads to the others - and someone may be behind the illness that's befallen the First Family! The team must mastermind a planetary heist for technology that could save their lives, but spacetime has had enough of their traveling back and forth across it - and they soon find themselves trapped in a universe where the only five things left alive are themselves...and a cosmic, power-mad Dr. Doom!
Collecting: Fantastic Four 9-16
Collecting: Fantastic Four 9-16
184 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2014
About the author
Matt Fraction
1,237 books1,892 followers"How he got started in comics: In 1983, when Fraction was 7 years old and growing up in Kansas City, Mo., he became fascinated by the U.S. invasion of Grenada and created his own newspaper to explain the event. "I've always been story-driven, telling stories with pictures and words," he said.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
Education and first job: Fraction never graduated from college. He stopped half a semester short of an art degree at Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri in 1998 to take a job as a Web designer and managing editor of a magazine about Internet culture.
"My mother was not happy about that," he said.
But that gig led Fraction and his co-workers to split off and launch MK12, a boutique graphic design and production firm in Kansas City that created the opening credits for the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
Big break: While writing and directing live-action shoots at MK12, Fraction spent his spare time writing comics and pitching his books each year to publishers at Comic-Con. Two books sold: "The Last of the Independents," published in 2003 by AiT/Planet Lar, and "Casanova," published in 2006 by Image Comics.
Fraction traveled extensively on commercial shoots. Then his wife got pregnant. So Fraction did what any rational man in his position would do -- he quit his job at MK12 to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time comic book writer.
Say what? "It was terrifying," said Fraction, who now lives in Portland, Ore. "I was married. We had a house. We had a baby coming. And I just quit my job."
Marvel hired Fraction in June 2006, thanks largely to the success of his other two comics. "I got very lucky," he half-joked. "If it hadn't worked out, I would have had to move back in with my parents.
- 2009. Alex Pham. Los Angeles Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 18, 2014
Ben Grimm : Reed Richards :: Keith Moon : Peter Townsend
What the ….?
Both Reed Richards and Peter Townsend need the other two, Ben Grimm and Keith Moon to undercut their pretentious, self-indulgent egg head ideas, take the wind out of their intellectual sails and make their highfalutin ideas bearable.
Sure Pete do another rock opera, this time it’ll be about some kid who has four distinct personalities and, hey, Keith, please blow up your drum kit again. Let’s face it, when Keith Moon passed away The Who became boring.
“You see, Ben, it’s all a theoretical framework in which negative ions replace point-like…” *Yawn* Sure Stretcho and if I don’t clobber somethin’ soon…" Would you rather have Reed Richards postulate or watch Ben Grimm smack around Dr. Doom? The guy from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan who said Reed Richards – click away from the page now.
What’s to like?
Benjamin Franklin is a .
Sue Richards used her force field powers to lobotomize dinosaurs.
Weird one-eyed future Johnny Storm.
Ben Grimm melting.
Reed explaining about why the Fantastic Four are decomposing and Johnny asking “why am I sitting with the kids.”
An alternate reality Marvel Girl bring brought into the alternate reality present.
That Fraction’s run on this title has come to a merciful end. The FF sister title was much more entertaining than this leaden storyline.
What’s not to like
Another alternate reality which means…
Another alternate reality Fantastic Four.
And even more alternate reality Dr. Dooms. Oy vey!
The Fantastic Four kick Dr. Doom’s ass. Again.
And here’s some classic Who:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52cQe...
What the ….?
Both Reed Richards and Peter Townsend need the other two, Ben Grimm and Keith Moon to undercut their pretentious, self-indulgent egg head ideas, take the wind out of their intellectual sails and make their highfalutin ideas bearable.
Sure Pete do another rock opera, this time it’ll be about some kid who has four distinct personalities and, hey, Keith, please blow up your drum kit again. Let’s face it, when Keith Moon passed away The Who became boring.
“You see, Ben, it’s all a theoretical framework in which negative ions replace point-like…” *Yawn* Sure Stretcho and if I don’t clobber somethin’ soon…" Would you rather have Reed Richards postulate or watch Ben Grimm smack around Dr. Doom? The guy from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan who said Reed Richards – click away from the page now.
What’s to like?
Benjamin Franklin is a .
Sue Richards used her force field powers to lobotomize dinosaurs.
Weird one-eyed future Johnny Storm.
Ben Grimm melting.
Reed explaining about why the Fantastic Four are decomposing and Johnny asking “why am I sitting with the kids.”
An alternate reality Marvel Girl bring brought into the alternate reality present.
That Fraction’s run on this title has come to a merciful end. The FF sister title was much more entertaining than this leaden storyline.
What’s not to like
Another alternate reality which means…
Another alternate reality Fantastic Four.
And even more alternate reality Dr. Dooms. Oy vey!
The Fantastic Four kick Dr. Doom’s ass. Again.
And here’s some classic Who:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52cQe...
September 17, 2014
This one hovered at about 1.5 stars for most of the reading. Yup. I can't tell if I'm just not a FF person (I'm really thinking the proof is all over the place that I should just stop reading FF) or if this is as bad a book as I think it is.
First of all, this is the last volume of the series, which was rebooted AGAIN in April. Yes, again. Just to sum up how ridiculous and idiotic this is, here's the Wikipedia article explaining ONLY the last 4 years of this title:
"March 2011, the Human Torch appears to die stopping a horde of monsters from the other-dimensional Negative Zone. The series ended with the following issue, #588, and relaunched in March 2011 as simply FF. The relaunch saw the team assume a new name, the Future Foundation, adopt new black-and-white costumes, and accept longtime ally Spider-Man as a member.
In November 2011, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fantastic Four and of Marvel Comics, the company published the 100-page Fantastic Four #600 (cover-dated Jan. 2012), which returned the title to its original numbering and featured the return of the Human Torch.
Although it was launched as a continuation of the Fantastic Four title, FF continues publication as a separate series. As part of Marvel NOW! FF was relaunched with creative team of Matt Fraction and Mike Allred in November 2012 and ended with issue #16 in January 2014.
As part of Marvel NOW! Fantastic Four ended with #611, ending Jonathan Hickman's long run on FF titles, and the title was relaunched in November 2012 with the creative team of writer Matt Fraction and artist Mark Bagley. In the new title with its numbering starting at #1, the entire Fantastic Four family explore space together, with the hidden intent for Reed Richards to discover why his powers are fading.
In April 2014 Marvel started over again with Fantastic Four #1."
Ya. So that's where we are, wrapping a series already.
I'm convinced that part of it was because Fraction was signed up for more work on one of the Marvel Events, and also, because this series just kinda jumped the shark.
Here's what happens:
Ben and Reed go back to the moment when Victor has the lab accident that scars him and leads to DOOM! They're not the only ones there to witness it...and Ben, shockingly, does something stupid.
The Family goes to Philadelphia circa 1776 and stops a Skrull Benjamin Franklin from ruining the Declaration of Independence...ya.
Probably the best piece of writing in the book is when Sue starts showing symptoms of the molecular illness, and Johnny gets mad that no one told him.
Johnny: You should've told me, trusted me, or...I Died for this Family.
Sue: Johnny, I'd never...I'm not...We didn't know, Reed didn't know, we...
Johnny: You treat me like HE treats you. Y'know that? You treat me JUST like he treats you.
Bang on. From all the FF I've read, Reed is super condescending in the way he deals with his wife, being all smart and such, and she in turn, treats her brother like he's an infant. I agree, especially after his (short-lived) death, you'd think he earned a bit of respect.
Next we go to a super lab in the future where Valeria is going to cure her family, even though her Dad is so unable to...I kinda scratch my head at that, if Reed is the smartest person out there, why can't he?
The Best part of this book is the arrival of Old Johnny Storm. He's from another dimension, is blue, and has no memories of what's already happened in the past, which is the future for the FF, but not for him, as he's lived to be old, but he's actually got to discover what he's there for since he's not supposed to be part of this timeline at all...Then of course some other time travelling people send the FF (and Old Johnny) back to the time of dinosaurs, but it's not really dinosaurs, and all their powers are going haywire, and uncontrollable.
Yet the whole time, Old Johnny is starting to remember things, (of course). The only ones who save the FF is the grandkids of the other time travellers who sent them back in the first place, who arrive on the scene to apologize and get their grandpappies to do the same...Ya.
So apparently this is all in a dimension called the DOOMED UNIVERSE. Subtle eh? Cause it actually means it is doomed AND it's DOOM's Universe. See what they did there?
Now we just back to when the FF left the Faux Four in charge (appx a year ago acc'd to our headlines). Baddies show up just after the FF disappeared on their 240 second vacation...(in our time of course)...then we're back in the present...in the other dimension...and we meet...THE FANTASTIC FOUR!!! But of course it's not the same FF, it actually has a reverse colour Thing, a Fake-Tanned Invisible Woman, a middle-aged biker looking Mr. Fantastic, and a Johnny Storm who's about right on...
They also, for some reason, have the Past Marvel Girl from All New X-Men here in the future, thanks to this Mr. F...ugh.
Then there's an interaction with Dr. Doom of that world, and it kind of explains something...
We then jump back to our heroes...Thing is melting away, Reed can't control his muscles, Johnny can't control his flame, and Sue's disappearing. Of course, Old Johnny now has total recall, and explains everything to our intrepid heroes!
Even more convoluted shit goes down, and inevitably, the worlds cross, and both FFs end up together, working as one against Doom and his cronies (Kang AND Annihilus). There's some power swapping, some very confusing shit, multiple versions of characters, and a cliffhanger ending!!!
Oh, but there's one more issue left...
Everything gets worked out somehow, that I can't pretend to explain to you, so I can't spoil that at all...
Suffice it to say that Old Johnny Storm's memory wasn't entirely back, and when it does come back, things somehow fall all into place perfectly...
Then we're having a happy little BBQ on the moon, with a whole new artist for the last few pages...odd...but I like the art so that's OK.
Oh and...The Silver Surfer is there eating hot dogs, Uatu the Watcher is a chatty Cathy with Reed (I thought he wasn't much of a talker???) and he's got himself a lady...Ulana the...She-Watcher? [Isn't a she-watcher that peeping Tom in the bushes?]
Then there's a whole bunch of peeps on the moon, altogether for the end of the series, and it's entirely goofy.
Yup. So don't bother reading the majority of this book, heck maybe skip the series entirely, and start wherever they are now. Or do what I'm going to...AVOID Fantastic Four titles for a while.
Get this review and more at:
First of all, this is the last volume of the series, which was rebooted AGAIN in April. Yes, again. Just to sum up how ridiculous and idiotic this is, here's the Wikipedia article explaining ONLY the last 4 years of this title:
"March 2011, the Human Torch appears to die stopping a horde of monsters from the other-dimensional Negative Zone. The series ended with the following issue, #588, and relaunched in March 2011 as simply FF. The relaunch saw the team assume a new name, the Future Foundation, adopt new black-and-white costumes, and accept longtime ally Spider-Man as a member.
In November 2011, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Fantastic Four and of Marvel Comics, the company published the 100-page Fantastic Four #600 (cover-dated Jan. 2012), which returned the title to its original numbering and featured the return of the Human Torch.
Although it was launched as a continuation of the Fantastic Four title, FF continues publication as a separate series. As part of Marvel NOW! FF was relaunched with creative team of Matt Fraction and Mike Allred in November 2012 and ended with issue #16 in January 2014.
As part of Marvel NOW! Fantastic Four ended with #611, ending Jonathan Hickman's long run on FF titles, and the title was relaunched in November 2012 with the creative team of writer Matt Fraction and artist Mark Bagley. In the new title with its numbering starting at #1, the entire Fantastic Four family explore space together, with the hidden intent for Reed Richards to discover why his powers are fading.
In April 2014 Marvel started over again with Fantastic Four #1."
Ya. So that's where we are, wrapping a series already.
I'm convinced that part of it was because Fraction was signed up for more work on one of the Marvel Events, and also, because this series just kinda jumped the shark.
Here's what happens:
Ben and Reed go back to the moment when Victor has the lab accident that scars him and leads to DOOM! They're not the only ones there to witness it...and Ben, shockingly, does something stupid.
The Family goes to Philadelphia circa 1776 and stops a Skrull Benjamin Franklin from ruining the Declaration of Independence...ya.
Probably the best piece of writing in the book is when Sue starts showing symptoms of the molecular illness, and Johnny gets mad that no one told him.
Johnny: You should've told me, trusted me, or...I Died for this Family.
Sue: Johnny, I'd never...I'm not...We didn't know, Reed didn't know, we...
Johnny: You treat me like HE treats you. Y'know that? You treat me JUST like he treats you.
Bang on. From all the FF I've read, Reed is super condescending in the way he deals with his wife, being all smart and such, and she in turn, treats her brother like he's an infant. I agree, especially after his (short-lived) death, you'd think he earned a bit of respect.
Next we go to a super lab in the future where Valeria is going to cure her family, even though her Dad is so unable to...I kinda scratch my head at that, if Reed is the smartest person out there, why can't he?
The Best part of this book is the arrival of Old Johnny Storm. He's from another dimension, is blue, and has no memories of what's already happened in the past, which is the future for the FF, but not for him, as he's lived to be old, but he's actually got to discover what he's there for since he's not supposed to be part of this timeline at all...Then of course some other time travelling people send the FF (and Old Johnny) back to the time of dinosaurs, but it's not really dinosaurs, and all their powers are going haywire, and uncontrollable.
Yet the whole time, Old Johnny is starting to remember things, (of course). The only ones who save the FF is the grandkids of the other time travellers who sent them back in the first place, who arrive on the scene to apologize and get their grandpappies to do the same...Ya.
So apparently this is all in a dimension called the DOOMED UNIVERSE. Subtle eh? Cause it actually means it is doomed AND it's DOOM's Universe. See what they did there?
Now we just back to when the FF left the Faux Four in charge (appx a year ago acc'd to our headlines). Baddies show up just after the FF disappeared on their 240 second vacation...(in our time of course)...then we're back in the present...in the other dimension...and we meet...THE FANTASTIC FOUR!!! But of course it's not the same FF, it actually has a reverse colour Thing, a Fake-Tanned Invisible Woman, a middle-aged biker looking Mr. Fantastic, and a Johnny Storm who's about right on...
They also, for some reason, have the Past Marvel Girl from All New X-Men here in the future, thanks to this Mr. F...ugh.
Then there's an interaction with Dr. Doom of that world, and it kind of explains something...
We then jump back to our heroes...Thing is melting away, Reed can't control his muscles, Johnny can't control his flame, and Sue's disappearing. Of course, Old Johnny now has total recall, and explains everything to our intrepid heroes!
Even more convoluted shit goes down, and inevitably, the worlds cross, and both FFs end up together, working as one against Doom and his cronies (Kang AND Annihilus). There's some power swapping, some very confusing shit, multiple versions of characters, and a cliffhanger ending!!!
Oh, but there's one more issue left...
Everything gets worked out somehow, that I can't pretend to explain to you, so I can't spoil that at all...
Suffice it to say that Old Johnny Storm's memory wasn't entirely back, and when it does come back, things somehow fall all into place perfectly...
Then we're having a happy little BBQ on the moon, with a whole new artist for the last few pages...odd...but I like the art so that's OK.
Oh and...The Silver Surfer is there eating hot dogs, Uatu the Watcher is a chatty Cathy with Reed (I thought he wasn't much of a talker???) and he's got himself a lady...Ulana the...She-Watcher? [Isn't a she-watcher that peeping Tom in the bushes?]
Then there's a whole bunch of peeps on the moon, altogether for the end of the series, and it's entirely goofy.
Yup. So don't bother reading the majority of this book, heck maybe skip the series entirely, and start wherever they are now. Or do what I'm going to...AVOID Fantastic Four titles for a while.
Get this review and more at:
April 20, 2015
Not the best ending to the series. Towards the end, it got too convoluted, and the barbecue on the moon was a little jarring. There are some really good moments in here, and that's mostly in the more emotional moments. Johnny's anger when he's finally the last member of the team to be told that their powers are making them sick is one of the best scenes in Fraction's entire run. Too bad the rest of the book wasn't quite up to the same standard.
March 3, 2021
The ending was good but the lead up to it got too confusing and convoluted at times that I had to bump it down a star. It’s still a solid read and I love Fraction’s take on the Fantastic Four but I think it could’ve been better in certain areas. Bagley’s art is on point as per usual so the book looks great.
January 18, 2014
Fractions Fantastic Four started off as a 'Lost in Space but in the Marvel Universe' but soon turned into a time travelling and universe jumping story that involves Doctor Doom, Kang the Conqueror and Annihilus.
It does become a little hard to follow at times. This also isn't helped by the fact that it crosses over into the Future Foundation (FF) title, which is the title I've preferred out of the two since they launched.
Maybe this would have turned out better had Fraction not stepped down to write (and then leave) Inhuman. Or maybe he's better on lower tier, lesser known characters.
It does become a little hard to follow at times. This also isn't helped by the fact that it crosses over into the Future Foundation (FF) title, which is the title I've preferred out of the two since they launched.
Maybe this would have turned out better had Fraction not stepped down to write (and then leave) Inhuman. Or maybe he's better on lower tier, lesser known characters.
July 31, 2018
The FF find out that the Thing blames himself for Doctor Dooms accident. So they go back in time to see what really happened, and reverse what the Thing had done. Only problem being, lots of alternate Dooms want to see the birth of Doom.
This is a fun Fantastic Four book with a decent story. A good read.
This is a fun Fantastic Four book with a decent story. A good read.
April 22, 2024
The Doom story was fun. But then……wow the Odd Four (tm)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2020
Interesting premise, messy as all hell with regards to art and storyline, but an interesting resolution. The comic reads significantly like an older comic, where the stakes are incredibly high, but the villain is thwarted quite easily, ending on a party. Weird book.
June 1, 2014
The big problem with Fraction's Fantastic Four has always been the premise. The idea that Reed can't solve the problem of what's killing the Four is never that believable, especially when we're reminded of things like Franklin's super-powers, Val's super-genius, or the future's super-technology that they could be using. Worse, when Reed talks about this trip being a master plan, his plans never actually seem that clever.
The other problem is that the whole story is very episodic and none of the parts are that notable. So issue #9 (with Doom) is interesting because it plays into the Four's overall mythology, and #10 (with skrulls and the Declaration of Independence) could have been good if it was coherent, but then we could two dull issues about some far-future utopia.
The last four issues, scripted by Kesel, are a bit better, probably because they tell a big story. On the downside, it all seems like an anti-climax, because it's about solving some other dimension's problems. Worse, the resolution of the whole what's-killing-the-Four-plot seems to come out of nowhere, and is even at odds with some of the earlier revelations. (Wasn't it supposed to be invading skrulls!?)
Sadly, I'd have to call Fraction's Fantastic Four run a failure; it was just never that good. I'd kick it to the curb entirely if Marvel hadn't annoyingly interweaved the much better FF with the first and last volumes of the Fantastic Four stories.
The other problem is that the whole story is very episodic and none of the parts are that notable. So issue #9 (with Doom) is interesting because it plays into the Four's overall mythology, and #10 (with skrulls and the Declaration of Independence) could have been good if it was coherent, but then we could two dull issues about some far-future utopia.
The last four issues, scripted by Kesel, are a bit better, probably because they tell a big story. On the downside, it all seems like an anti-climax, because it's about solving some other dimension's problems. Worse, the resolution of the whole what's-killing-the-Four-plot seems to come out of nowhere, and is even at odds with some of the earlier revelations. (Wasn't it supposed to be invading skrulls!?)
Sadly, I'd have to call Fraction's Fantastic Four run a failure; it was just never that good. I'd kick it to the curb entirely if Marvel hadn't annoyingly interweaved the much better FF with the first and last volumes of the Fantastic Four stories.
April 5, 2016
The epilogue, drawn by Quinones and Allred, redeems this less than cohesive end to a run begun by Fraction. That art is charming, the rest has charms.
The story got bargled.
The story got bargled.
October 31, 2022
Ostatni tom przygód Fantastycznej Czwórki w ramach prac Matta Fractiona przynosi tylko małe rozczarowanie, gdyż nie ma tu nic, czego bym się nie spodziewał. Przeciwnie - jest tyle elementów, które byłem pewien, że się pojawią. Wtórność i nijakość. Szkoda, bo Fraction brylował przy Hawkeye'u. Tu niestety nie powtórzył sukcesu.
Pierwsza rodzina Marvela nadal walczy o własne życie. Wszyscy czworo są zagrożeni dezintegracją i tylko odnalezienie rozwiązania w kosmosie daje jakieś rokowania na pomyślny ratunek. Szkopuł w tym, że w trakcie trakcie tej podróży pojawia się jeszcze więcej kłopotów. Do całości dochodzą też skoki w czasie oraz wizyty innych osobistości, z Dr. Doomem na czele. Właściwie to nawet armią Doomów. Oraz chęci przeciwdziałania błędom ze swojej przeszłości, jak to bywa z takim chociażby Benem Grimmem.
Dzieje się tu sporo, tyle że to nic czego byście nie widzieli na przestrzeni lat, w tej serii. Najpierw mamy Kanga, aby potem jak zwykle do głosu doszedł Doom. Mamy inne wersje Fantastycznej Czwórki i (o jakie zaskoczenie) kolejny happy'ie end, zakończony sporą fiestą (no może nie dla Johnny'iego Storma z innego wszechświata). Główny wątek mało mnie interesował i nawet połączenie z poboczną serią FF za wiele nie wniosło do skostniałej serii.
Nie dziwi więc, że włodarze z Marvela od razu po zakończeniu tej serii zaproponowali restart serii, który choć też ma parę problemów, to i tak jest lepszy od tego co tu nam zaproponowało. Koncept był całkiem fajny, ale finał nie zaspakaja potrzeb. Mocno przeciętna seria.
Pierwsza rodzina Marvela nadal walczy o własne życie. Wszyscy czworo są zagrożeni dezintegracją i tylko odnalezienie rozwiązania w kosmosie daje jakieś rokowania na pomyślny ratunek. Szkopuł w tym, że w trakcie trakcie tej podróży pojawia się jeszcze więcej kłopotów. Do całości dochodzą też skoki w czasie oraz wizyty innych osobistości, z Dr. Doomem na czele. Właściwie to nawet armią Doomów. Oraz chęci przeciwdziałania błędom ze swojej przeszłości, jak to bywa z takim chociażby Benem Grimmem.
Dzieje się tu sporo, tyle że to nic czego byście nie widzieli na przestrzeni lat, w tej serii. Najpierw mamy Kanga, aby potem jak zwykle do głosu doszedł Doom. Mamy inne wersje Fantastycznej Czwórki i (o jakie zaskoczenie) kolejny happy'ie end, zakończony sporą fiestą (no może nie dla Johnny'iego Storma z innego wszechświata). Główny wątek mało mnie interesował i nawet połączenie z poboczną serią FF za wiele nie wniosło do skostniałej serii.
Nie dziwi więc, że włodarze z Marvela od razu po zakończeniu tej serii zaproponowali restart serii, który choć też ma parę problemów, to i tak jest lepszy od tego co tu nam zaproponowało. Koncept był całkiem fajny, ale finał nie zaspakaja potrzeb. Mocno przeciętna seria.
August 4, 2025
This volume seems to be getting a fair amount of mixed feedback, likely due to Matt Fraction’s departure partway through; but for me, it was actually the strongest of the trilogy. Fraction’s focus on Ben Grimm was a standout. Any time the Thing takes the spotlight, I’m in, and his return to Yancy Street and run-in with the Yancy Street Gang was just great storytelling, classic and heartfelt.
That said, the shift in tone once Karl Kesel takes over is definitely noticeable. I’m not necessarily against the change, but the transition is abrupt, and Kesel is left to tie up the loose ends from Fraction’s plots. It makes me wonder if this was the intended direction, as some of it comes off a bit disjointed.
I also enjoyed the alternate Fantastic Four, though I wish they had more meaningful involvement rather than being sidelined. Doom the Annihilating Conqueror was an awesome concept, and I definitely would’ve liked to see more of him. The art from Bagley and Ienco was striking, though I do wish there was a bit more visual consistency throughout the volume.
All in all, I enjoyed this story and found it engaging, even if it didn’t fully land for everyone. I’d recommend it, but with some reservations.
Grade: B-
That said, the shift in tone once Karl Kesel takes over is definitely noticeable. I’m not necessarily against the change, but the transition is abrupt, and Kesel is left to tie up the loose ends from Fraction’s plots. It makes me wonder if this was the intended direction, as some of it comes off a bit disjointed.
I also enjoyed the alternate Fantastic Four, though I wish they had more meaningful involvement rather than being sidelined. Doom the Annihilating Conqueror was an awesome concept, and I definitely would’ve liked to see more of him. The art from Bagley and Ienco was striking, though I do wish there was a bit more visual consistency throughout the volume.
All in all, I enjoyed this story and found it engaging, even if it didn’t fully land for everyone. I’d recommend it, but with some reservations.
Grade: B-
October 29, 2017
3.75 Stars
I did not care all that much for the short steampunk time travel story, but the Dr Doom arc made up for it as our FF had to travel to and alternate dimension to help that Earths FF defeat the combined forces of Kang, Annihilus, and Dr Doom. It ties up the whole series fairly nicely so that Marvel can put out yet another Collector Item, multiple cover, All New All Different, great jumping on point #1 issue.
I have never been a big fan of time travel stories as they tend to get overly convoluted and nothing every really happened once the story is over, but I do like the alternate universe stuff. It is Marvels way of doing Elsworld stories (DC comics alternate stuff), but not actually leaving the main Marvel Universe.
I did not care all that much for the short steampunk time travel story, but the Dr Doom arc made up for it as our FF had to travel to and alternate dimension to help that Earths FF defeat the combined forces of Kang, Annihilus, and Dr Doom. It ties up the whole series fairly nicely so that Marvel can put out yet another Collector Item, multiple cover, All New All Different, great jumping on point #1 issue.
I have never been a big fan of time travel stories as they tend to get overly convoluted and nothing every really happened once the story is over, but I do like the alternate universe stuff. It is Marvels way of doing Elsworld stories (DC comics alternate stuff), but not actually leaving the main Marvel Universe.
August 25, 2018
Another Fantastic Four title comes to an end (Don’t worry, there’s more)
I really did not enjoy this at all, it was so slow-paced and when we finally got answers about why the F4 were losing control of their powers and why Old John Storm is around it kinda redeemed the story a bit, but I feel like we barely got to know the Doomed Universe and their F4. Also, the artwork changed, but it wasn’t too bad. Also, what was the point of The Council of Dooms? Kinda makes The Council of Reeds a bit redundant.
Overall, the series, and like its companion, FF, started out well and as time went on they both became dull and tiresome to read. Seriously though, what is going on with Fantastic Four-related titles being this way?
I really did not enjoy this at all, it was so slow-paced and when we finally got answers about why the F4 were losing control of their powers and why Old John Storm is around it kinda redeemed the story a bit, but I feel like we barely got to know the Doomed Universe and their F4. Also, the artwork changed, but it wasn’t too bad. Also, what was the point of The Council of Dooms? Kinda makes The Council of Reeds a bit redundant.
Overall, the series, and like its companion, FF, started out well and as time went on they both became dull and tiresome to read. Seriously though, what is going on with Fantastic Four-related titles being this way?
June 15, 2017
Okay so the final pages with the BBQ on the moon and the Watcher was ridiculous. However, despite this I enjoyed the title. The storyline was convoluted with timey-whimey events that would probably have made reading as individual issues a problem but were pretty easy to follow when read in one go.
I have to confess, I adore Johnny (especially when he's only being a dick and not an arrogant dick) and in this one we get three versions of Johnny.
I also loved that the children still acted like children even if they are geniuses. And (apart from the scene on the moon) I really liked the art style on this one.
I have to confess, I adore Johnny (especially when he's only being a dick and not an arrogant dick) and in this one we get three versions of Johnny.
I also loved that the children still acted like children even if they are geniuses. And (apart from the scene on the moon) I really liked the art style on this one.
July 25, 2019
Meh. I can tell there was a different plotter versus scripter. The story seems like it should be epic, but the dialogue is phoned in and causes the whole thing to fall flat. The superhero-scifi-logic explanations, a staple of the FF, are so dull, it's like they weren't even trying. Same with the art; it seems like it looks good, the figure drawing is there, good inkwork, good backgrounds, but there's no personality. There's one panel where bystanders are staring at the cosmic conflict and they have no expression whatsoever. I realize Marvel ended the Fantastic Four out of spite, but some people care about these characters, and a better send off would have been nice.
November 18, 2020
I love, love, love a good time travel story. This was not a good time travel story. Nor was it a good story. Ever Fantastic Four writer wants/needs to tell one epic Dr. Doom tale. Matt Fraction sure swung and missed here. This was no cohesive, comprehendible, interesting, or fun. Its a shame because all the elements are in place it just didn't gel at all. Bagley's art even looked rushed at times here. Overall, this was a big disappointment.
September 18, 2017
A disappointing conclusion to the three-volume series. (I'm also glad another reviewer pointed out the error - whether it was outright or simply a poor choice of descriptive words - of the team being "off the coast of Pennsylvania" during the 1776-set portion of the story.) This was a struggle to finish with the drawn-out, convoluted plot and the talky, scientific-sounding dialogue.
August 8, 2019
So hard to decide if this is two or three stars. This time travel stuff is a hot mess, and sometimes it is explained in achingly boring detail and sometimes it changes scenery to the past, present, or etc!? without any introduction.
This also crosses over big time with the FF volume 2.
This also crosses over big time with the FF volume 2.
Read
February 11, 2025This series has some nice moments but the climax was way too messy and complicated, even for characters who constantly time travel. Overall it was more compelling than any of the other F4 runs I've tried to read but that's not a terribly high bar.
August 17, 2019
Dooms attacks were superb
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2020
Convoluted, complicated, and occasionally dull, with cluttered art and fairly uninspired character arcs. The least of Matt Fraction’s work, and not Bagley’s best either. 2.5 stars.
October 11, 2021
This was a fun romp through history and space. Exactly what a sci-fi team should be doing.
March 22, 2026
Collapses a bit under its own weight
July 20, 2016
Collects Fantastic Four (2012) issues #9-16
It felt like Matt Fraction had to stop working on this book for some reason, and Marvel rushed to the end of the story that he started back in Fantastic Four (2012) #1. Even if I didn't like it, though, the story that Fraction started did have a complete wrap up.
I am usually a sucker for both parallel universe stories, as well as time travel stories. This volume contained both, but I can't say that the story was well done. To me, the story lacked heart.
I was glad that Fraction's run on Fantastic Four was over. I know that he is a talented writer, but this series wasn't a good match for him.
I was just flipping through the book so that I could comment on more things in this review, and as I looked back over the stories in this packed trade paperback, I can say that I honestly don't understand what was happening in some of these stories. There was little explanation as to the in-story mechanics of the characters' actions.
SPOILERS: Two Fantastic Fours from different realities working together to stop a combination villain (Doom the Annihilating Conqueror) was fun to read, even if the story wasn't really done well.
Again, I was just happy that this run was finally over, a stark contrast from how I felt at the end of Jonathan Hickman's run on the Fantastic Four.
It felt like Matt Fraction had to stop working on this book for some reason, and Marvel rushed to the end of the story that he started back in Fantastic Four (2012) #1. Even if I didn't like it, though, the story that Fraction started did have a complete wrap up.
I am usually a sucker for both parallel universe stories, as well as time travel stories. This volume contained both, but I can't say that the story was well done. To me, the story lacked heart.
I was glad that Fraction's run on Fantastic Four was over. I know that he is a talented writer, but this series wasn't a good match for him.
I was just flipping through the book so that I could comment on more things in this review, and as I looked back over the stories in this packed trade paperback, I can say that I honestly don't understand what was happening in some of these stories. There was little explanation as to the in-story mechanics of the characters' actions.
SPOILERS: Two Fantastic Fours from different realities working together to stop a combination villain (Doom the Annihilating Conqueror) was fun to read, even if the story wasn't really done well.
Again, I was just happy that this run was finally over, a stark contrast from how I felt at the end of Jonathan Hickman's run on the Fantastic Four.
February 23, 2015
This was quite a long storyline, and I'm glad to see that the story resolved to a satisfying conclusion (though apparently, I do need to read the rest of FF, now). I have to call out this ordinarily very educational series, though, for claiming they were "off the coast of Pennsylvania." Unless they are talking about the Delaware river (since they seem to be near Philadelphia) or Lake Erie (which is not close to the events in the story), last I checked, Pennsylvania does not have a coastline. It was a small error, though, and the rest of the story was good enough to make up for it. I would recommend this whole run of Fantastic Four, though if you hadn't read the previous two volumes, this wouldn't make a great deal of sense. Since I hadn't kept up with FF since the first volume, the ending had some head scratchers for me, though I imagine they will make more sense when I do go back and read those, as well.
June 3, 2014
A satisfying ending to Fraction's run on the title, with a very good pair of issues to round the run off. It's a shame that most of the middle of this volume is a bit...blah. It meanders around like it was just playing for time until the conclusion came into play, with some really good ideas wasted with mediocre scripts and pointless plotlines. Bagley's artwork starts strong but gets progressively sketchier as it goes on, so that when Rafaelle Ienco takes over for the final 3 issues it's almost a blessing, which isn't something I expect to say about Mark Bagley. As usual, I'm sure FF will be the stronger of these two books once I read its final volume too.
May 13, 2014
I have very mixed feelings about this whole run. I Loved the first volume, but as the story went on and things become less "Fantastic four on a long adventure" and more timey-wimey confusing bullshit I liked it less and less. The fact this paralleled FF so strongly (at least so it seemed) made it enjoyable to read them together, but as the end neared how they played off of each other seemed less important and more confusing. I think a big part of it is a sour feeling that both runs didn't really lead to where (and how long) they seemed to be promising to be going. The whole thing seemed to just abruptly veer off and end too soon and in a place the story didn't seem pointed.
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